You might not recognize Santa Ragione right away, but this Italian studio has been making unique games for over 15 years. They started with “Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space” back in 2010, then moved into digital games with “Fotonica” in 2011. Their games are known for exploring deep themes, like trauma and politics, often in unusual settings.
Their latest game, “Horses,” is about to launch on December 2nd. It’s a narrative horror adventure set on a farm where the “livestock” are naked, masked humans. However, excitement is tempered by disappointment; “Horses” has been banned from Steam due to Valve’s restrictive policies, cutting the studio off from a large chunk of the PC gaming market.
Pietro Righi Riva, co-founder of Santa Ragione, expressed that their focus is on creating experimental games rather than competing in mainstream genres. He says, “We want our games to have meaning and provoke thought.” This philosophical approach led them to take risks with art and storytelling, making their games stand out.
Interestingly, Santa Ragione’s studio structure resembles that of a film production team. They gather for specific projects and often bring in talent from outside the gaming industry. For “Horses,” they collaborated with Andrea Lucco Borlera, a new director, to develop a unique vision.
Pietro shared that Valve’s refusal to approve “Horses” raises more questions than answers. Their initial approach to get the game’s page on Steam went off without a hitch for previous titles, but this time, things changed. Valve requested a full game build before approving the title, something rarely asked of developers. After submitting the build, they received an automated rejection right before the game’s announcement, citing concerns over mature content.
“We complied with every request but received no specific reasons for the ban,” Pietro explained. Their FAQ clarifies that all characters are above 20, and the game is not intended to be pornographic. The ban has left Santa Ragione in a precarious position, as they’ve poured resources into the game based on anticipated sales through Steam.
Frustration is palpable as Pietro recounts the situation. With Valve’s refusal to review “Horses,” potential funding has also dried up. Even with interest from various publishers, the Steam ban has proved a significant barrier. “We’re being denied access to 75% of PC gamers,” he lamented.
Despite the setbacks, there’s a glimmer of hope. “Horses” is set to release on other platforms like Epic Games Store and GOG, where it has received approval. However, without Steam, questions linger about the studio’s future.
Reflecting on the broader situation, Pietro called for clearer guidelines from Valve. He believes the lack of straightforward rules contributes to an unpredictable environment for indie developers. “A game should be judged on its context and intent, not just on surface-level content,” he stated.
Even while facing these challenges, Santa Ragione aims to create experiences that push boundaries in the gaming world. As they prepare to launch “Horses,” Pietro keeps his passion alive by envisioning how games can engage players in new ways. “I believe there’s still immense potential in games as an art form,” he noted. They hope “Horses” will resonate and prompt players to think deeply about its themes, ushering in conversations on art, games, and the limits of expression.
For more details on “Horses,” visit the official site.
